What happened
During an approach to land at Bu Dop, a C-130 experienced an incident when a recoilless rifle round detonated in close proximity to the aircraft's right wing. Following this event, the aircraft proceeded to taxi to a cargo pad to discharge its payload of 105mm artillery ammunition.
After unloading, the crew moved the aircraft to the runway threshold to initiate a departure. The takeoff attempt was conducted using only three engines, as the right outboard engine had been feathered. As the aircraft climbed to an altitude of approximately 300 feet, the right inboard engine suffered a seizure. This mechanical failure caused the aircraft to veer off course and into an area containing anti-tank mines.
The impact with an anti-tank mine resulted in the structural failure of the C-130, which broke in half at the landing gear. The forward section of the airframe slid through an anti-personnel minefield, narrowly entering the camp area.
Findings
- The loss of control was triggered by the seizure of the right inboard engine during the takeoff roll.
- The aircraft's path into a minefield led to catastrophic structural failure upon striking an anti-tank mine.
- The incident resulted in four fatalities among members of the Cambodian 5th Special Forces III Mobile Strike Force on the ground.